Two runners are separated by 12 mile at the time they both s

Two runners are separated by 1/2 mile at the time they both stopped their run. The faster runner ran at a rate of 5 mph and the slower runner at a rate of 4 mph. What distance did the faster runner cover?

Solution

Step 1. distance= speed * time

Step 2. Let t be the amount of time ran by by each runners.

Step 3. Let 5t be the distance of the faster runner at 5 miles per hour (mph).

Step 4. Let 4t be the distance of the slower runner at 4 mph.

Step 5. Then 5t-4t=0.5 or t=1/2 hour since the runners are separated by 1/2 mile.

Step 6. So 5t=2.5 miles and 4t=2 miles.

Step 7. ANSWER: The faster runner traveled a distance of 2.5 miles.